jobs in that area based on information from NWA Workforce Connection . A registered dental assistant must take and pass a class to earn a state certificate . You can work as a dental assistant without a certificate , but the pay is less . Dental assistants in Northwest Arkansas earn an average of $ 34,800 annually .
A dental hygienist , who performs many preventive dental care procedures such as cleaning teeth , is required to hold a license .
That license requires an associate degree in dental hygiene , which could take three years to earn . That investment pays off with the average pay for a hygienist hitting $ 67,800 per year .
If you are interested in pursuing a career in health care , there are some basic skills that apply to all jobs in the field . You must be able to use math and science to solve problems , be a good listener and be able to communicate clearly . Health care workers must also be able to recognize potential problems , and use logic and reasoning to solve problems .
Locally , there are many options for education and training available for those who choose a career in health care . Many high schools offer classes that introduce students to patient care , anatomy , medical terminology and more . Northwest Technical Institute , NorthWest Arkansas Community College , the University of Arkansas and John Brown University all offer nursing programs . NTI and NWACC also offer classes for dental assisting .
59